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Magnificent Europe with Christmas and New Years Eve

15 Days Amsterdam to Budapest
Magnificent Europe with Christmas and New Years Eve
Magnificent Europe with Christmas and New Years Eve
Magnificent Europe with Christmas and New Years Eve

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on APT's 15 Day Magnificent Europe with Christmas and New Years Eve. Experience Christmas in Europe as you cruise in luxury on our most popular river cruise, and for good reason. Start in Amsterdam before heading along the Rhine, stopping at quaint German towns on the way. Enter Austria, and explore Vienna, then culminate in Budapest.
Sold Out
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either the season has ended and new dates will be released soon, or the itinerary has been updated and isn’t operating this season.
Trip Length
Cruise Length

15 Days

Trip Starts
Cruise Starts

Amsterdam

Trip Ends
Cruise Ends

Budapest

Countries Visited
Countries Visited:
Countries Visited
Rivers Sailed:
Cruise Line
Cruise Line
APT
Cruise Ship
Cruise Ship
APT Ostara
Passengers
Passengers

154

Crew
Crew

60

Ship Launch
Launched

2025

Cruise Code
Cruise Code

EUMCX15

Itinerary

Welcome to Amsterdam. We'll meet you on arrival and transfer you to your ship. Stay 14 Nights: APT Ostara (D)

Spend today on your preferred activity. Tonight, enjoy a gala welcome dinner. (B/L/D)

Freedom of Choice - Cruise on a Glass-Top Boat or visist the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store Perhaps cruise the canals on a glass-top boat or visit the Old Amsterdam Cheese Store for a cheese tasting matched with wine.

This morning will be spent cruising through Germany. Disembark in Andernach and enjoy a Signature Experience here. (B/L/D)

Signature Experience - Visit Namedy Castle Princess Heide von Hohenzollern will graciously welcome you into her home, Namedy Castle. Wander through the castle and its manicured gardens, before savouring a morning tea, where a pianist sets the mood.

Cruise through the Rhine Gorge to Rudesheim and set out on your chosen activity. Afterwards, wander through the Christmas market and perhaps pick up a souvenir or two. (B/L/D)

Freedom of Choice - Visit Siegfried's Museum or an historic wine cellar You might like to visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Alternatively, visit a historic wine cellar for a tasting of Rhine Valley wines.

Step ashore in Miltenberg and set out on a guided exploration. Wander through cobblestoned streets and admire the town's enchanting half-timbered houses before time at leisure. (B/L/D)

Your day unfolds on your terms thanks to a choice of activities today. (B/L/D)

Freedom of Choice - Würzburg activities Seize the day and walk to the 18th-century Würzburg Residence. Alternatively, travel to Rothenburg, or join a hike to Marienberg Fortress.

Celebrate a magical Christmas Day as you enjoy a relaxing morning sailing towards Bamberg, where you'll disembark for a guided walking tour. You'll also enjoy a traditional Christmas feast on board your ship with all the trimmings. (B/L/D)

This morning gives you the chance to choose your sightseeing activity. This afternoon, continue cruising on the Main-Danube Canal. Having taken 32 years to construct, the canal links the North and Black seas. (B/L/D)

Freedom of Choice - Discover Nuremberg's World War II Sites Journey through Nuremberg's World War II sites, including the Reich Party Rally Grounds, the site of Hitler's now infamous annual rallies that were held from 1927 to 1938.

Freedom of Choice - Medieval History of Nuremberg Tour Join a tour focused on Nuremberg's medieval history. Discover medieval architecture, including the 900-year-old ramparts that surround the city, the Imperial Castle, the main market square and its 14th century Gothic church.

In Regensburg, explore its atmospheric World Heritage-listed city centre. With a history dating back to the Roman times, this incredible city was the first capital of Bavaria. Your tour will finish with a tasting at Regensburg's historic sausage kitchen, thought to be one of the oldest working restaurants in the world. (B/L/D)

Take a guided tour of Salzburg before a Signature Experience. (B/L/D)

Signature Experience - Gaisberg Mountain Lunch and ‘Sound of Music' Show Be welcomed by a Jagdhornblaser - a hunting horn blower - into a rustic, traditional restaurant on the Gaisberg mountain overlooking Salzburg. Enjoy a welcome drink as you soak in the scenery before savouring a delicious lunch, followed by a show featuring music from the classic film, ‘The Sound of Music'.

Visit the statuary-adorned Melk Abbey. You'll then cruise through the Wachau Valley to Durnstein, where you can roam its cobblestoned lanes at your leisure. Or perhaps join your wellness host for a hike to the castle ruins. (B/L/D)

Arrive in Vienna and set out on a city tour. Take in the city's many landmarks along the Ringstrasse, as well as St Stephen's Cathedral. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore. This evening is set aside for your magical Signature Experience. (B/L/D)

Signature Experience - Liechtenstein's City Palace After dinner, head to the princely family of Liechtenstein's City Palace in the heart of Vienna, where we have arranged an exclusive cocktail party and private recital, just for you. A full orchestra will perform classical masterpieces by Mozart and Strauss, and you will also be enchanted by an operatic recital.

Head out on your choice of tours before setting sail for Hungary. Tonight, bid farewell to 2025 in style with New Year's Eve celebrations in full swing. (B/L/D)

Freedom of Choice - See Schonbrunn Palace or Slovakia's Bratislava Perhaps visit the 1,441-room Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens. Otherwise, tick another country off your list and journey to Slovakia's Bratislava.

Choose your sightseeing option in Budapest today. The afternoon is yours at leisure to further explore. (B/L/D)

Freedom of Choice - Budapest activities Enjoy a city tour of Budapest taking in its historic monuments, including Heroes' Square and St Stephen's Cathedral before a visit to the Great Market Hall for some tastings of local produce. Alternatively, board a funicular to Castle Hill, then walk to Fisherman's Bastion. Or you may wish to relax in the thermal water pools at one of Budapest's famous baths.

Sadly, the time has come to say goodbye and be transferred to the airport. (B)

Tour Inclusions

  • Namedy Castle: Princess Heide von Hohenzollern graciously welcomes APT guests into her home, Namedy Castle, a royal escape set near the Rhine River in Germany. After wandering through the castle and its manicured gardens during this exclusive Signature Experience, you'll attend a cocktail party, where a pianist sets the mood.
  • Cocktail Party and Private Performance at Vienna's City Palace: Head to the princely family of Liechtenstein's City Palace in the heart of the Austrian capital of Vienna, where we have arranged an exclusive cocktail party and private recital, just for you. During this extraordinary Signature Experience, a full orchestra will perform classical masterpieces by Mozart and Strauss. You will also be enchanted by an operatic recital.
  • Gaisberg Mountain Lunch and ‘The Sound of Music' Show: On this incredible Signature Experience in Austria, be welcomed by a Jagdhornbläser – a hunting horn blower – into a rustic, traditional restaurant on the Gaisberg mountain overlooking Salzburg. Enjoy a welcome drink as you soak in the scenery before savouring a delicious lunch, followed by a show featuring music from the classic film, ‘The Sound of Music'.

  • Itinerary, inclusions and pricing are subject to change
  • Prices are for land/cruise only. Flights not included unless specified.

Life On Board

APT
 (469) Reviews
Total No. of Tours & Cruises 145
APT is an Australian family-owned company whose essence began in Melbourne in the 1920s. More than 90 years on, APT offers life-enriching trips to every continent, and through the company’s vast industry experience, meticulous planning and unquestionable passion it's earned a place among the world’s most well-regarded travel more companies.

From boutique river cruising to small-group 4WD adventures; traditional coach touring with a decadent twist; epic rail journeys to small-ship expeditions; classic ocean cruising to safaris of discovery by both land and air – there’s little APT are unwilling to consider in pursuit of creating the finest holiday experience for its valued guests.

Timeless luxury, exclusive experiences, life enriching moments and true personalisation. APT offers all-inclusive holidays so everything is taken care of. We invite you to join us; you won’t be disappointed.
APT Ostara
APT Ostara

Travel in unparalleled luxury on board APT Ostara in 2025 – APT's brand-new river ship that redefines European river cruising. Read more

All-inclusive. All taken care of.
All-inclusive. All taken care of.

From the moment you depart to the moment you return, everything you need is included in the trip price you pay. Read more

World Class Dining
World Class Dining

Experience world-class dishes featuring the finest seasonal, locally sourced produce aboard the new-generation fleet. Read more

Freedom of Choice
Freedom of Choice

Personalise your journey to suit your interest and mix and match a wide selection of cultural, culinary, historical and active experiences. Read more

Signature Experiences
Signature Experiences

These are the stand-out moments. Carefully designed to help you experience Europe in far greater depth and normally unavailable to independent travelers. Read more

Live Fully
Live Fully

With every detail taken care of behind the scenes, you’re 100% free to be whoever you want to be. Every day is yours to design. Read more

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Download Brochure

APT Europe (2025) Brochure

APT Europe (2025)

No matter how many times you’ve been, there’s always something new to discover in APT’s Europe. Whether you want to cruise the rivers, glide through landscapes by rail or coach, or get deeply immersed in art, culture, food and history in any number of amazing cities, APT is for you.

Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this cruise. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and is not operating this season. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by APT. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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